A Givealittle page has been set up for a Katikati technology store owner who lost $74,000 of stock in an overnight burglary earlier this month.

Owner of iFixed Ltd, Chamara Punchihewage, told Katikati News in the last edition that he did not have insurance for stock in his Katikati store due to changing providers while opening a new Waihī store, which caused a blip in coverage.

During this non-covered period, three offenders broke into his iFixed Ltd Katikati store on the top floor of the Cherry Court complex overnight on November 8 and fled with laptops and mobile phones that were for sale.

“They took everything within 10 minutes – the whole burglary took 15 minutes,” said Chamara, known in the community as Chama.

He said none of his customers’ equipment was stolen because it was locked away in a safe.

iFixed Ltd – located on the top floor of Cherry Court – was broken into and burgled in the early hours of November 8. Photo / Supplied

The Sri Lankan – who has lived in New Zealand for 16 years, including more than eight years in Katikati – was now weighing whether Aotearoa was a safe place to live for his young family. This was also due to his Katikati house being entered overnight two months ago.

“I have a 2-year-old daughter as well – so to be honest, we’re really afraid to stay in New Zealand. We’re thinking what we’re going to do next – because when people are breaking in while you’re sleeping it is very scary to live like that.”

Senior Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh said Katikati Police had executed search warrants at three Katikati addresses last week and recovered some of the stolen property.

A 36-year-old Katikati woman and a 32-year-old man had since been charged with burglary. “Enquiries are continuing to locate the other offender.”

Since then, iFixed Ltd customer and friend Wayne Paul had begun Givealittle page “(Kiwis) We are one!” with a goal of raising $1200.

“Let’s show Chamara that Kiwis are good people. Let’s show him and his family that it was the right choice to relocate his family from Sri Lanka to New Zealand,” the page reads. “iFixed offers a tremendous service to Katikati – particularly the seniors who struggle with new technology.”

To donate, visit: givealittle.co.nz/cause/kiwis-we-are-one